For Health Care Professionals

Summary of DTaP and Tdap Vaccine Recommendations across the

Lifespan
Includes updated recommendations voted October 2012 and published February
2013.
Birth through 6 years: DTaP is routinely recommended at 2, 4, and 6 months, at
15 through 18 months, and at 4 through 6 years.
7 through 10 years : Tdap is recommended for children ages 7 through 10 years
who are not fully vaccinated (see note 1) against pertussis:

Single dose of Tdap for those not fully vaccinated (see note 1) or

If additional doses of tetanus and diphtheria toxoid-containing vaccines are

needed, then children aged 7 through 10 years should be vaccinated
according to the catch-up schedule, with Tdap preferred as the first dose.

UPDATED JAN 2011

11 through 18 years : Tdap is routinely recommended as a single dose for those

11 through 18 years of age with preferred administration at 11 through 12 years
of age.
If adolescent was not fully vaccinated (see note 1) as a child, check the ACIP
recommendations andcatch-up schedule to determine whats indicated.

If adolescents (13 through 18 years) missed getting Tdap at 11 to 12 years of

age, administer at the next patient encounter or sooner if adolescent will have
close contact with infants.
19 years and older : Any adult 19 years of age and older who has not received a
dose of Tdap should get one as soon as feasible to protect themselves and
infants. This Tdap booster dose can replace one of the 10-year Td booster
doses. Tdap can be administered regardless of interval since the previous Td
dose. Shorter intervals between Tdap and last Td may increase the risk of mild
local reactogenicity but may be appropriate if your patient is at high risk for
contracting pertussis, such as during an outbreak, or has close contact with
infants.
When feasible, Boostrix (GSK) should be used for adults 65 years and older;
however, either vaccine product administered to a person 65 years or older
provides protection and may be considered valid. Providers should not miss an
opportunity to vaccinate persons aged 65 years and older with Tdap. Therefore,
providers may administer the Tdap vaccine they have available.
UPDATED JUN 2012

Pregnant women: Pregnant women should get a dose of Tdap during each
pregnancy, preferably at 27 through 36 weeks gestation. By getting Tdap during
pregnancy, maternal pertussis antibodies transfer to the newborn, likely providing
protection against pertussis in early life, before the baby starts getting DTaP
vaccines. Tdap will also help protect the mother at time of delivery, making her
less likely to transmit pertussis to her infant. It is important that all family
members and caregivers of the infant are up-to-date with their pertussis vaccines
(DTaP or Tdap, depending on age) before coming into close contact with the

infant. Tdap is recommended in the immediate postpartum period before

discharge from the hospital or birthing center for new mothers who have never
received Tdap before or whose vaccination status is unknown.
UPDATED AUG 2013

Health care personnel (see note 2) :

A single dose of Tdap is recommended for health care personnel who have not
previously received Tdap as an adult and who have direct patient contact. Tdap
vaccination can protect health care personnel against pertussis and help prevent
them from spreading it to their patients. Priority should be given to vaccinating
those who have direct contact with babies younger than 12 months of age.
Tdap can be administered regardless of interval since the previous Td dose.
However, shorter intervals between Tdap and last Td may increase the risk of
mild local reactogenicity.
For additional guidance, see Evaluating Revaccination of Healthcare
Personnel. NEW JUNE 2015